Emotional Attachments to Coffee
Discover the emotional attachments people have to coffee and the impact it can have on their mental and emotional health. Explore the relationship between coffee and emotions, as well as coping with loss and grief through coffee rituals.
I have been watching a show with my wife called "This is us" on NBC lately. In one episode a character makes coffee for herself and her husband because that is how her mornings usually went. After filling up his cup the realization that he just died hits her again. Fortunately, I have not shared that experience yet, but it made me think.
When talking about the term ritual many think about religion. One of the definitions according to Webster is "an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner". When I wake up, making coffee is part of my morning ritual. How it is done exactly is also a ritual. I know exactly how much of each ingredient to use. I make it in the prescribed manner and pour it into two coffee cups. The custom is different on a day that I have to go to my office than it is on a stay-at-home day, but there is still a specific protocol.
Enjoying coffee isn't like the sibling competition over who loves mom more, we enjoy it for different reasons and in differing ways and that is perfectly fine. Some people just need caffeine. Many others, like myself, actually have an emotional attachment to coffee. It really made me wonder if I would even be able to enjoy coffee the same way I do now, under a situation similar to the show.
Have any of you gone through a time like the one I described? I know it is just a show, but I am certain that is something real people have had to face. I am curious to hear about other people's emotional attachment to coffee. Would I still be able to do still enjoy coffee alone? Would it add comfort to my life maintaining some piece of how things used to be? To hear my story see my "about me", it has much to do with my time serving in the U.S. Army.
If you have an emotional attachment to coffee, please briefly share your story. If you have gone through a similar experience regarding something other than coffee also feel free to share.
I used to drink so much coffee, but now I do not drink any at all. I deffo think you can be emotionally attached to coffee xx
ReplyDeleteWhen I see comments from people that say they don't drink coffee, it really intrigues me. I was curious why you stop by. Are you just wanting to learn, or was it about the emotional attachment? The reason I ask is because it is helpful for me to know what kind of content I should include to grow a more diverse audience while still remaining on the topic of coffee. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteCoffee is an important part of my morning routine. During the week, when my husband is working outside the home, it's my quiet time first thing in the morning - a chance to center myself and mentally prepare for the day of work ahead. On the weekends, it's our relax time together. My husband makes our morning coffee and then we all relax (us and our pets) in the living room. Lots of pet cuddles, hot coffee and a fun tv show or movie. I look forward to that down time together all week.
ReplyDeleteYour story sounds a lot like mine. It actually made me smile to see that other people have a similar emotional attachment to coffee as I do. Coffee has become my calm happy place in the middle of life's storms. Because my fish don't really enjoy the cuddles, you will have to squeeze in a few extra for me. I remember watching football with my Grandfather when I was a kid and after he passed away I never really enjoyed it anymore. At the time I wrote this, I was kind of wondering what the general consensus was on coffee. Does it become a sad reminder or a happy one? Thank you for leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy enjoy coffee but my love for it has only in recent years. I enjoy it so much now and its also a part of our morning routine. My husband makes one for me to go every morning as I head out to do the school run. On the weekends we enjoy ours together with breakfast.
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspective - it's as much a ritual and morning routine as anything else. I personally don't drink coffee, but I do have a breakfast routine where I eat and drink for 30 minutes to an hour, allowing me to wake up properly.
ReplyDeleteAt this moment I am having a cup of strong black coffee as I write this. Yes I am emotionally attached to coffee although there was a time when I used to love tea more. But now it's tea in the morning for me and then two cups of coffee in the day and in the evening. The thought of coffee always excites me.
ReplyDeleteI love coffee it's important ot me as well. I love the scent and the taste even though I try to limit my coffee intake these days
ReplyDeleteThank you for your service in the Army. You are extremely lucky that you have not experienced what you described in the show. For me, that ritual is the single hardest part about losing someone, and it always has been. Old habits die hard. After my best friend died, I ceased making salsa for quite some time. Probably close to a year, honestly. Because it was something that made me think of him. He loved my salsa. When I finally found the courage to make it again, that habit or ritual was still there. I set aside a container and made a mental note to remind my husband to take it to my best friend when he left for work that night. Then the realization that you can't send food to a dead man is like a punch in the face and stomach at the same time. I cried so much at that point. It hurts beyond words. It is a very deep pain.
ReplyDeleteI have an emotional attachment to coffee - it reminds me of my parents; my dad's love for Starbucks when he's in the states; listening to jazz and watching people as I sit and sip; meeting with friends or acquaintances. Sometimes if I meet someone for coffee and the meeting itself isn't particularly good, engaging, beneficial, I know I can always count on my coffee. Instant coffee reminds me of my time in south Korea when I was teaching (teachers always have coffee rituals). Instant coffee also reminds me of the many hostels I've stayed in on my travels, meeting people and eating whatever breakfast was on offer. Coffee reminds me of of the dynamism of my life and I love it. Thank you for this prompt!
ReplyDeleteThat story from the show... is indeed sad. I definitely can't relate with the coffee part since I don't drink coffee. But I do agree that we can be emotionally attached to a person, or thing. THinking about it, it would be very hard to start a day or continue a day knowing that it's not gonna be part of the "routine" anymore.
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